And if you're just catching up with this story, here's some background: A recording of Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist comments was released last month. The league hit Sterling with a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at the time that he was urging the league's board of governors to force a sale of the team. Sterling has said the Clippers aren't for sale.

Friday's move comes after the NBA announced that Clippers President Andy Roeser was taking an indefinite leave of absence. Roeser, one of the longest-tenured executives, was the first to publicly defend Sterling in the wake of the scandal that erupted last month.

In a statement, NBA chief Silver said, "I believe the hiring of Dick Parsons will bring extraordinary leadership and immediate stability to the Clippers organization."

Parsons said that he was "deeply troubled by the pain" endured by the Clippers and their fans, and that he would defend the NBA's values.